GLOBAL - INNOVATIVE - DISTINCT
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- “Al Fresco in the Hills” Temporary Patio Program Returns
- Public Meeting for Town’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Update
- 2021-2022 Digital Main Street Program Results
- New InvestHaltonHills.com Website Launches
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- New Cohort for Halton Region Starter Company Plus
- Ontario Investing $25 Million to Increase Food Processing Capacity
- Province Announces Launch of Building Ontario Businesses Initiative (BOBI)
- Canada Digital Adoption Program to Help Small Businesses Thrive in the Digital Economy
- Government of Canada Clean Tech Funding Toolkit
- Halton Hills Economic Development Services & COVID-19 Information
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"Al Fresco in the Hills"
Temporary Patio Program Returns
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The Town of Halton Hills is now accepting applications for its "Al Fresco in the Hills" temporary patio program, the outdoor dining initiative designed to support local restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments.
The program was initially launched in June 2020 to provide new or additional seating opportunities at food and drink establishments through the addition of temporary patios. To date, the program has supported the establishment of 16 patios.
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Public Meeting for Town's Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Update |
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The Town of Halton Hills is undertaking a comprehensive review and update of its Community Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP is a key economic development tool that encourages, accelerates, and facilitates desirable revitalization and redevelopment projects that have clear public interest goals.
As a next step, a virtual public meeting will be held on Monday, April 11 at 6 p.m. via Zoom in order to:
- Provide background information on the project to date.
- Present an overview of the draft CIP with next steps for the project.
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Solicit public input on the draft CIP for consideration into the final CIP that will be presented to Council.
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2021-2022 Digital Main Street Program Results |
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Building on the success of the 2020-2021 Digital Main Street (DMS) program, the Town applied and successfully received funding to once again implement the DMS program from September 2021 through February 2022.
Over 200 local businesses participated in the 2021-2022 DMS program, with 36 businesses receiving grants. Over the two years of the program, there were 60 grant recipients, resulting in $150,000 of funding for Halton Hills’ businesses.
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New InvestHaltonHills.com Website |
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A new InvestHaltonHills.com website launched on February 1, 2022, serving as the primary source for economic development data, information, and resources. The new site features a dynamic homepage that highlights Halton Hills’ strategic location and showcases the Town as a prime investment destination.
The site also offers visitors easy access to a variety of resources and interactive tools, including:
- Quick access to up-to-date demographics and information that potential investors and new businesses need when looking for a place to start a business.
- Highlights of Economic Development’s key target sectors and businesses.
- Incentives and supports for new development and business expansion through the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and Business Concierge Service.
- An interactive site selection tool of available land and buildings.
- News section to highlight key economic and business news to prospective and existing businesses.
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Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) |
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At the February 28 Council meeting, staff provided a progress update on the implementation of Halton Hills’ Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Attraction Strategy.
FDI is a key part of the Town’s comprehensive economic development efforts and part of the Town’s broader Economic Development and Tourism Strategy. FDI activities can benefit local businesses, help attract high quality local jobs, and increase non-residential assessment.
Over the past two years, due to a focused and impactful workplan, the Town’s capacity to attract and retain FDI has improved significantly. This has included:
- The development of four sector-specific investment business cases.
- A new Halton Hills’ community profile.
- A Halton Hills FDI Pitchdeck.
- Planning an in-market trade mission.
- Developing an investment lead pipeline of companies, and successfully receiving external funding.
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New Cohort for Halton Region Starter Company Plus |
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The Halton Small Business Centre is launching a new cohort of its Starter Company Plus program this spring. The program supports eligible aspiring entrepreneurs that are looking to build their small businesses by providing training, mentoring, advice, and the opportunity to pitch for a grant.
Halton Hills’ entrepreneur and owner of Marissa Marie Artistry, Marissa Baptista, participated in the previous cohort of Starter Company Plus, which provided a launch pad for her business. “Without being a part of the Starter Company Plus program, I wouldn’t have had such a clear direction of where I wanted to take my business or how to get there,” explains Marissa.
Information sessions for the next cohort will take place on:
- Thursday, April 7 from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
- Monday, April 11 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.
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Ontario Investing $25 Million
to Increase Food Processing Capacity
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The Ontario government is investing up to $25 million over two years to build up the province’s food processing capacity. The new Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund Program, launching April 1, 2022, will increase the province’s food processing capacity, strengthen food security, and position the agri-food sector for economic growth.
The Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund will support industry investment in projects that address the processing capacity shortage and increase the sector’s competitiveness and resilience against future disruptions.
Agri-food businesses are eligible for up to $3 million in cost-sharing funding to build new processing facilities, expand or modernize existing facilities, or adopt new innovative technologies to improve current operations.
Application intake opens April 1, 2022.
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Province Announces Launch of
Building Ontario Businesses Initiative (BOBI)
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On March 9, 2022, the Ontario government announced the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative (BOBI) to reduce barriers and provide companies in Ontario with greater access to public procurement opportunities.
Doing so will help businesses sell more goods and services, create jobs in their local communities, and recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative will also strengthen Ontario’s supply chain resiliency and better prepare the province for potential future emergencies.
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Canada Digital Adoption Program to Help
Small Businesses Thrive in the Digital Economy
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The federal government announced the launch of the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) in early March, designed to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses grow their online presence and upgrade or adopt digital technologies.
Business can apply for funding through either the ‘Grow Your Business Online’ or the ‘Boost Your Business Technology’ streams. CDAP will provide $4 billion over four years to support up to 160,000 small businesses.
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Government of Canada Clean Tech Funding Toolkit |
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Like Halton Hills, the Government of Canada is committed to taking action on climate change and supporting a clean growth economy.
The toolkit includes information about federal grants and contributions, as well as tips and links.
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Halton Hills Economic Development Services
& COVID-19 Information
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Halton Hills’ Economic Development, Innovation and Culture division provides a full suite of high-quality services and supports to the business community that in turn foster a prosperous economy and enhance quality of life. These include:
- Financial incentives via the Community Improvement Plan (CIP)
- Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) programming
- Investment attraction, expansion and relocation
- Business Concierge service
- Site selection assistance
- Market research
- Industry engagement
- Workforce development
- Supporting and advancing affordable housing projects and initiatives
- Amplifying tourism’s economic benefits
- Leveraging and supporting the arts and culture sector to raise quality of life
The Town offers existing and potential businesses a strategic platform for success, proximity to world-class markets, a distinct community with an ideal balance between urban and rural environments, and an outstanding quality of life.
As part of an ongoing commitment to engage with and support the local business community, Economic Development staff continue to update the Town’s COVID-19 Business Supports web page.
Please contact the Town’s Economic Development staff if you require assistance.
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Please note:
Pictures used in this e-newsletter are for illustration purposes only
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Copyright 2022 Town of Halton Hills
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the Town's e-newsletter 'Economic Development'
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